Not having enough available land quickly becomes THE biggest limiting factor in the hybridizing efforts of many RHA members, especially those who live in cities. Some people in this situation just reduce their hybridizing down to a trickle, for lack of space, but this is the option we are trying to avoid. Some, after filling their own yards, turn to family, friends, and neighbors to adopt some seedlings. Some people buy or rent land that can be checked occasionally. Some people use unused nearby land and hope not to get in trouble for it. Some donate good seedlings to local garden clubs, rather than cull them, although access to the seedlings is usually lost to the hybridizer this way.
If you have any other thoughts or suggestions on this problem, we’d be glad to hear them.
Pots, everywhere pots. Culling less than “perfect” seedlings ruthlessly. Culling varieties grown simply because they are sentimental favorites or otherwise favored but not those which you intend to use for breeding. Begin breeding for smaller roses so more fit more in the same space.
Limited space is an issue for me as well. My porch is full of pots and I’m fine with it! I just try to make them look like they were placed semi purposefully.
…Not totally off topic but a bit of a reach; I was helping my mom with her roses today. She’s not really to much of a gardener, but there are a number of roses on my parents property that need to be cared for. About half of them are my doing :D!( I was a rose nut even as a kid) Anyway having roses on a family members property or even a friends might be the way to go plus you can always help them out, and your relatives/friends can hopefully be the ones to care for them the majority of the time. Plus isn’t sharing the hobby part of the fun?
I farm out copies of some of my better seedlings to trusted friends. I have friends who are excellent gardeners, I dare you
to find a weed growing in their yard. My friends are happy to have these uncommon roses in their, and promise not to
give away cuttings. This is my security against loosing a one of a kind seedlings.
A few years ago I lost 87 breeding roses in pots through a severe early fall frost. At first I was a very sad,but in retrospect
it was a good thing. I got rid of some roses that were no longer in use and using up valuable space in winter storage.
But more important I was able to focus on those tender roses that survive the cold and use them more.
and I’m fine with it! I just try to make them look like they were placed semi purposefully.